Banksy’s Piranha Box Set for Permanent Display at the New London Museum
One of the most captivating street artworks to electrify London in recent memory, Banksy’s “Piranhas” police box is poised for a long-term home at the forthcoming London Museum in Smithfield. Scheduled to reopen in 2026, the new museum will house this iconic piece as part of its permanent collection, further cementing Banksy’s role as a defining figure in contemporary urban art and making his work accessible to millions of visitors annually ARTnews.
From City Streets to Museum Walls
Banksy’s piranha-adorned police sentry box first appeared in August 2024, transformed into a vivid aquarium teeming with razor-toothed fish. It formed part of a series of nine animal-themed street pieces that emerged across London over nine days, including monkeys swinging on bridges, elephants stretching trunks in Chelsea, and a rhino perched atop a car. The police box itself, a familiar sight standing on Ludgate Hill since the 1990s, was ingeniously reimagined by Banksy’s signature stenciling, creating a striking visual pun and a provocative commentary on surveillance, authority, and urban life Sky News Time Out London.
Following its brief public debut encased behind protective barriers at Guildhall Yard—a necessary measure amid the huge public interest and crowds—the artwork was carefully moved into secure storage. This action ensured its preservation ahead of the much-anticipated display in the newly refurbished London Museum, part of a £222 million reimagining of the institution aimed at attracting over two million visitors per year Museums & Heritage Advisor Artlyst.
Cultural Significance and Public Impact
The “Piranhas” piece transcends its playful façade, offering layered meanings referencing Damien Hirst’s famous shark sculpture, urban predation, and the complexities of modern surveillance systems. Art historian Kelly Grovier lauded the work as a “ghostly shoal of ghoulish piranhas” that revives the shock value and cultural resonance lost by similar earlier artworks.
By acquiring and preserving such a seminal street artwork, the London Museum reaffirms its mission to chronicle the city’s layered history—from ancient Roman graffiti to the first pieces of contemporary street art. Glyn Davies, head of curatorial at London Museum, noted that “this work by one of the world’s most iconic artists now belongs to Londoners, and will keep making waves when it goes on show next year” BBC News Smithsonian Magazine.
Looking Ahead to the Museum’s Smithfield Opening
The new London Museum, formerly known as the Museum of London, relocated from its London Wall site in preparation for its grand reopening. The Smithfield location, situated in the historic meat market district, offers state-of-the-art exhibition spaces and promises to become one of the capital’s cultural highlights.
With Banksy’s “Piranhas” ready to headline the contemporary collection, the museum underscores its ongoing commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and representing diverse narratives of London’s urban fabric. Visitors can look forward to experiencing this emblematic work alongside a vast array of artifacts spanning the city’s history—from the ancient to the contemporary Museums & Heritage London The Inside.
FAQ
Q1: What is Banksy’s “Piranhas” artwork?
A1: It is a City of London Police box spray-painted by Banksy to resemble a fish tank filled with fierce piranhas, part of a 2024 series of animal-themed street artworks across London.
Q2: Where and when will Banksy’s “Piranhas” be displayed?
A2: The artwork will go on permanent display at the new London Museum in Smithfield, slated to reopen in 2026.
Q3: Why was the artwork put into storage?
A3: After a public display at Guildhall Yard, the artwork was moved into secure storage to protect it until the museum’s new site opens.
Q4: What is the significance of this acquisition for the London Museum?
A4: It marks the museum’s first contemporary street art piece, bridging London's ancient and modern cultural history and making the iconic Banksy accessible to the public.
Q5: Can the public see Banksy’s “Piranhas” now?
A5: The artwork is currently not on public display but will be exhibited starting with the new museum’s opening in 2026.
Q6: Where can I learn more about the London Museum’s reopening and Banksy exhibits?
A6: More details can be found on trusted news sites like ARTnews and official museum updates.
Banksy’s “Piranhas” are set to become a cultural landmark at the new London Museum, reflecting the fusion of street art’s immediacy with the permanence of museum curation, symbolizing London’s ever-evolving artistic landscape.